I formally announced at 1:00 PM today the issuance of the proclamation (No. 889) suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.
Some like Sens. [Lorenzo] Tañada and [Jose] Diokno do not agree with its wisdom. But most observers believe this has been overdue because of the viciousness of the subversives.
And there are more explosions and sabotage. Last night one of the main pipes of the Nawasa [National Water and Sewerage Authority] was blown up. So was City Hall and Comelec [Commission on Elections].
Tonight there was another explosion in Congress—beside it to shatter many windows.
Before my announcement I told Speaker [Cornelio] Villareal and Senate Pres. [Gil] Puyat and Ambassador [Henry] Byroade whom I called. The first two did not offer any objection. Ambassador Byroade whom I asked whether it was true that Ninoy [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.], as he has been busily spreading, was authorized by the U.S. Embassy to buy the explosives and arms
Official Gazette for August 23, 1971: President Marcos went on radio and television to announce the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the government effort to deal with subversive elements in rebellion against constituted authority.
This capped the President’s activities, which included the induction of David Consunji as acting Secretary of Public Works and Communications. Present at the induction held at Malacañang at noon were Mrs. Freddie Almeda Consunji, the new secretary’s wife; their sons Isidro, 22 and Victor, 21; and officers of the Philippine Contractors Association headed by Ricardo P. de Leon, association president. Consunji, who succeeded former Secretary Manuel Syquio, was once PCA president and chairman of the board of examiners for contractors.
Following the induction, the President conferred with Senate President Gil J. Puyat and Speaker Cornelio T. Villareal.
The President also had conferences with Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, Acting Mayor Felicisimo Cabigao of Manila and Col. Gerardo Tamayo, chief of the Manila Police Department. These officials reported on the progress of the investigation to determine responsibility for the bombing of the Liberal Party rally at Plaza Miranda.
About 1 p.m. the President administered the oaths to officials of Roxas City who affiliated with the Nacionalista Party. The new affiliates were Mayor Mabini S. Altavas, Vice Mayor Miguel B. Albao, and Councilors Juana B. Javier, Socorro B. Alvarez, Esmeraldo Caldeo, Roberto Amesco and Felipe Ignacio. Also taking their oath with the group were Mrs. Altavas, wife of the city mayor, and Matilde S. Belo. Then the President repaired to the Malacañang State Dining Hall where he announced to the nation, through radio and television, and in the presence of representatives of various news media, the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.
In his statement, the President said that after making available to his office the best tempered and most judicious counsel, and after consultations with national leaders, he had as of midnight of Saturday, August 21, suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
He read Proclamation No. 889, dated August 21, 1971, suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus “for the persons presently detained, as well as all others who may be hereafter similarly detained for the crimes of insurrection or rebellion, and all other crimes and offenses committed by them in furtherance or on the occassion thereof, or incident thereto, or in connection therewith. (Text of the President’s statement in OG)
stolen from American bases, [Byroade] said that he lost respect for Ninoy Aquino when he first met the latter and Ninoy Aquino said that he was willing to kill to attain his purpose, and that he (Ninoy) has—kill that is. Speaker Villareal said that he was even recommending martial law as he has proposed in the past. Sen. Pres. Puyat said that a long time ago he had recommended that I should use all available power to eliminate the communist menace. He also recounted that Ninoy Aquino had gone to Sen. [Jose] Roy to ask the latter to phone me to delay the suspension of the writ which the latter did.
When asked if we were approaching martial law after the announcement of the proclamation this noon, I said that if necessary I would and added that if the terrorism or the effort to create a revolutionary situation continues, I would not hesitate to do so.
I have directed the Sec. of National Defense to prepare a simple outline of the basis for the suspension of the writ; and the Sec. of Justice to prepare a primer on the law on the suspension of the writ.
These we can circularize.